The Rocco John Group, together since 1997, is known for the original compositions of its founder, Rocco John Iacovone (composer/alto and soprano sax/piano), as well as for its free-wheeling interpretations of jazz standards. Rocco holds a B.A. and amaster's degree in composition from Hunter College, where he studied with the direct disciples of Nadia Boulanger. He also studied under, and played with, Lee Konitz and Sam Rivers. This combination of "in" and "out" playing has led to Rocco's uniquecompositional style, which blurs the lines of both. An active jazz composer/musician/teaching artist since the "loft" years with River's Orchestral Explorations at Studio Rivbea, Rocco learned firsthand how to compose for an improvisatory medium.